The Supreme Court of Pakistan has adjourned the hearing of Imran Khan’s appeal against the rejection of his bail pleas in the May 9 riots case. The hearing, initially set for Tuesday, has been postponed until August 12, following a request from Khan’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja.
On Tuesday, a two-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi heard the appeal filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. The appeal challenges the Lahore High Court’s decision to reject Khan’s bail pleas in relation to eight cases stemming from the May 9 mayhem, including the infamous attack on Jinnah House in Lahore.
Khan’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, requested the adjournment, which was granted by the court. The petition argues that the First Information Report (FIR) against Khan lacks substantial evidence and claims the allegations of his involvement in the riots are unfounded. Khan’s legal team maintains that he was in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) custody at the time of the riots, making it physically impossible for him to have participated in the events.
In his petition, Khan also raised concerns about the contradictions in the prosecution’s statements and questioned the credibility of the case against him. He sought further investigation into the matter, expressing doubts about the police’s intentions and the five-month delay in his arrest.
Khan’s legal team has also argued that the evidence against him is insufficient and pointed out that several co-accused individuals have already been granted bail in connection with the case.
The Lahore High Court had rejected Khan’s bail petitions on June 24, after deliberating on arguments from both the defense and government sides. Prior to this, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had dismissed Khan’s bail pleas in the same case on November 27, 2024.
As the legal battle continues, the postponement of the hearing has delayed a potential resolution, with the next hearing scheduled for August 12.
